(Toronto, ON – May 3, 2022) It has been more than two years since CNIB first alerted the Government of Ontario that people who are blind, partially sighted or Deafblind were unable to renew their Ontario Health Card online through the Government of Ontario website because the renewal form required a driver’s licence number.
After many discussions with the Government of Ontario, and powerful advocacy from CNIB and other disability organizations, Ontarians without a drivers licence can now renew their health card online using an Ontario photo ID card. Thanks to the advocacy of people with disabilities, including sight loss, the Ontario photo ID card was introduced in 2011 as an alternative form of government issued identification for people who do not have a driver’s licence, making it easier for them to do things such as open a bank account and any other activities that required official identification.
The Government previously extended the deadline to renew an expired health card until September 30, 2022. Ontarians will continue to be able to use their expired health card, including a red and white health card, to access insured health care services until the September 30, 2022 deadline.
CNIB continues to work with the Government of Ontario to ensure services are accessible to Ontarians with sight loss from the outset.
Earlier this year, we commissioned a research project on the accessibility of ServiceOntario services, and we completed a series of focus groups with Ontarians who are blind, partially sighted, or Deafblind to learn about their experiences. In the coming months, CNIB will be developing a survey to delve deeper into the accessibility issues that people with sight loss have encountered with ServiceOntario.
The Canada Disability Benefit Act became law in 2023 and seeks to create a new federal benefit program that will strengthen the financial security and independence of Canadians with disabilities from coast to coast to coast. Now, the Government of Canada is seeking feedback from the disability community on its proposed Canada Disability Benefit Regulations, which will set out the design and technical details of the program, scheduled to launch in July 2025. CNIB is seeking the perspectives of our community members to inform our submission to the Government’s consultation, and we’re asking you to get involved by completing our survey.
November 23, 2018After months of extensive training, CNIB Guide Dogs is excited to announce the graduation of its inaugural guide dog class. In total, six dogs have been paired with handlers from across Canada and are ready to embark on a lifelong journey in helping their human counterpart live a fully independent life.
August 06, 2024CNIB is pleased to announce that Angela Bonfanti, a 13-year veteran of the CNIB team, today became the organization’s first female president and CEO. After holding several leadership positions at CNIB – including, most recently, the position of Chief Operating Officer – Angela succeeds John M. Rafferty, who has been CNIB’s president since 2009.
July 23, 2024In May, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control announced new rules for all dogs entering the United States as part of their efforts to prevent dog-variant rabies from entering the country. The changes, which were set to take effect Aug. 1, would have required people entering the U.S. with a dog to complete two new forms, including one signed by a veterinarian to be verified upon arrival by U.S. border agents. CNIB Guide Dogs publicly voiced its concerns about how the changes and cumbersome administrative paperwork would negatively affect guide dog handlers crossing the border.
July 03, 2024CNIB Lake Joe, in collaboration with Canadian Blind Hockey, wrapped up an inspiring Camp Abilities Blind Hockey program. From July 1-6, 2024, youth ages 8-18 who are blind or have vision loss gathered at the camp to learn and play the sport of Blind Hockey, focusing on skill development and cultivating a love for the game.